FCCPC to Arraign MTN CEO, Others on May 28 for Alleged Breach of Act
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) is set to arraign Karl Toriola, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, alongside other top executives, on May 28, 2025. The charges stem from allegations of failure to produce documents and information required by the commission in compliance with a lawful summons, contrary to the FCCPC Act.
Toriola will be arraigned alongside Tobechukwu Okigbo, MTN’s Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, and Ikenna Ikeme, General Manager of Regulatory Affairs, before Justice H.J. Yilwa of the Federal High Court in Abuja. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/354/2024, names MTN Nigeria Communications Plc as the first defendant, with Toriola, Okigbo, and Ikeme listed as the second to fourth defendants, respectively.
The defendants face two counts in the charge, dated July 19, 2024, and filed on July 22, 2024, by a team of lawyers led by Akoji Achimugu. However, during the court session, the defendants were absent. Justice Yilwa inquired about their whereabouts, prompting FCCPC’s lawyer, Chizenum Nsitem, to explain that he had just been briefed on the case and needed more time to study the case file. Consequently, the judge adjourned the matter to May 28 for arraignment.
This development comes amid separate legal challenges faced by MTN Nigeria. The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has also filed a three-count charge against MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd, its CEO Karl Toriola, Senior Executive Officer Nkeakam Abhulimen, Fun Mobile Ltd, and its CEO Yahaya Maibe. The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/111/2024, is before Justice Inyang Ekwo of a sister court.
The NCC alleges that between 2010 and 2017, the defendants offered for sale, sold, and traded infringed musical works of artiste Maleke Moye without his consent. The commission claims that MTN and its co-defendants used Moye’s musical works and sound recordings, including tracks such as “911,” “Minimini-Wana Wana,” “Stop Racism,” and “Ewole,” as caller ringback tones without authorization.
Additionally, the defendants are accused of illegally distributing the musical works to their subscribers and possessing the works for purposes other than personal or domestic use. The alleged offences are punishable under Section 20 (2) (a), (b), and (c) of the Copyright Act, Cap. C28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Justice Ekwo had adjourned the matter to May 15, 2025, for a report, following the Attorney-General of the Federation’s (AGF) expressed interest in taking over the case.
The dual legal battles underscore the regulatory scrutiny facing MTN Nigeria, one of the country’s largest telecommunications companies. Stakeholders are closely watching the proceedings, as the outcomes could have significant implications for corporate compliance and consumer protection in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
